Quote:
Originally Posted by jayvis
I agree with Charles. I'm one who believes it's very hard to detect any appreciable audible differences between modern McIntosh tube and solid state power amps. The only things gained by tube power amps are their limitations driving certain speakers, operational quirks, and potential tube replacements down the road. Those supposed "gains" just aren't appealing to many. Of course, if you're a sucker for glowing tube aesthetics, you've probably already made up your mind.
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This does not match my personal and extended listening experience with MC 2301’s and MC 601’s in my home. I forgot to mention I also listened to both amps with Sonus Faber Amati Futura speakers with similar results. Maybe the MC 601’s are not the best McIntosh power amplifiers but I have no personal experience with the MC 1.2kw or other larger amps so I can’t comment on those. I do own an MC 602 and it may qualify as a modern McIntosh solid state amp as it is quad balanced, but again, the MC 2301 clearly beats it in overall sonics, at least to my ears.
Tubes are an expense and a pita to deal with. There is no debating that - it’s fact. So you have to decide if the juice is worth the squeeze.
Tom
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Main System:
Amati Futura Mains
Amati Homage VOX Center,
Proac Response 1sc Rears,
Three MC2301's for L,C,R
MC 602 for the rears
C 1100, MX 151, MCD 1100, MR 80
Nottingham Dais with Wave Mechanic
Sumiko Palo Santos Presentation
SurfacePro 3, RPi 4, ROON, WW Starlight Platinum USB, Schiit Yggdrasil, Benchmark DAC3 HGC
MX 151, OppO BDP-95, JVC RS-500 DILA projector, 106" diagonal Stewart Luxus Screenwall Deluxe with Studiotek 130 G3 material.
Lake House:
Ohm F, MC 275V, C2300, MR 77, Rega P3
OnDeck:
McIntosh MAC 4300v
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